Madrid is the capital of the Spanish State and occupies the number one position in the ranking of most important cities in Spain by number of inhabitants. In Madrid there are the most important museums in Spain, the Parque del Retiro, the Royal Palace and countless monuments of great cultural importance. It is also the city with the largest air connections thanks to the Barajas Airport. Find out here how to prepare if Madrid is your next destination.

Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.

What you should know upon arrival

Once the estimated or exact dates have been chosen to visit the capital of Spain, it is important to choose in which means of transport we will do it. From the outset, we announce that you are in luck, because traveling to Madrid it is very easy at any time of the year.



For being the capital of Spain and at the same time one of the main world capitals, in Madrid There are connections with most ports, airports and roads around the world, and of course it is possible to get there from any Spanish autonomous community by car in a very simple way.

Whether you are from Spain or from any other country, travel to Madrid By plane is one of the fastest and most widely used options, thanks to the fact that there is the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (IATA code: MAD), which is currently the fifth largest in Europe and is ranked # 29 on the list of the world's largest airports.

Madrid-Barajas Airport, in addition to having very good connections with almost all Spanish airports, is the European airport with the highest number of connections with Latin America, thanks to the Iberia airline, which currently leads flights between Europe and Latin America. In fact, Terminal 4 of the airport is your hub.

Before traveling, however, you should take into account the following tips to avoid complications as soon as you set foot in Madrid:

  • There are no announcements by public address, but everything is shown on the screens
  • No smoking areas
  • In T1 and T2 it is still common to have to go down stairs to access the plane
  • There are VIP lounges available to those who request them
  • Passing the security check usually takes about 30 minutes per person
  • There are chapels for the celebration of religious acts in all terminals
  • Baggage claim is often slow
  • Airport restaurants and establishments are expensive
  • In T2 there is a pharmacy with ample hourly availability
  • There is a service for people with reduced mobility or special needs

On the other hand, T4 is intended for national and Schengen departures / arrivals, and has T4 and T4-S. Since it is the most recently built terminal, the baggage claim and boarding processes tend to be more agile. The T4 also has check-in kiosks in which it is possible to remove the tag for the suitcase, which speeds up the process, and that afterwards all you have to do is deposit it at the corresponding counter.

Spanish or European tourists can access by car, although this is not the most recommended option since parking in the city is almost an impossible mission at almost all hours of the day, and especially during the week. Traffic is usually very congested, so more than saving time, you usually lose a lot at the entrance. Other options such as eTA.

Safety in the city

In general, like all the great capitals of the world, Madrid is a very safe city. However, since it is also a very touristy city, a series of special measures must be taken when visiting it as a tourist, especially if we are going to travel with children and travel by public transport, especially at night.

According to official data provided by the Secretary of State for Security, National Police and Civil Guard, there are more than 145 robberies per day in the Community of Madrid. In 2015 alone, the region registered a total of 92.024 crimes reported in the first quarter of the year. However, this figure is considered almost 5% lower than that registered in 2014.

In general, it should be noted that the crime rate in Spain is low when compared to other countries. Within Europe, this rate is the third lowest in the European Union, only surpassed by Greece and Portugal. The truth is that in Madrid and the rest of the Spanish communities, the most common types of crimes are those committed behind the wheel, so our advice is that, if you are going to drive in Madrid, do so with great caution.

The main problems that tourists find in Madrid are petty theft and, above all, pickpockets in the subway and in the main tourist attractions of the city. Therefore, special care must be taken from the moment we arrive in Madrid, especially if you are going to travel from the airport to the city by metro with all the bags and suitcases for your stay.

On the other hand, the rate of robberies and thefts in Spain is not so positive, since data from the British institute of criminology show that it is the second OECD country with the most robberies and thefts. Specifically, the most common crimes in the Community of Madrid are those shown below, ordered from most to least frequent:

  • Against road safety
  • Injuries
  • Robbery with force
  • Against public health
  • Thefts
  • Robbery with violence
  • Attacks against authority
  • Resistance and disobedience
  • Theft and theft of motor vehicles
  • Credit card forgery
  • Murder

On March 11, 2004, better known as 11-M, the largest terrorist attack committed in Europe took place, surpassed only by the Lockerbie attack (United Kingdom) that occurred in 1988. In it, 10 almost simultaneous explosions occurred on four trains , in the morning rush hour, that is, between 07:36 and 07:40. The consequences of the attack were catastrophic: 193 dead and more than 1.800 injured.

Since then, and after the Paris in November 2015 and in Brussels in March 2016, the anti-terrorism alert level (NAA) existing in Spain is 4, that is, high. The scale goes from 1 to 5, with 1 being low and 5 being very high risk, so the index is in a high position. In addition, Madrid is probably the Spanish city with the highest risk because it is the capital.

Restaurants and accommodation search

Choosing a hotel or any other type of tourist accommodation in Madrid is very simple and, in fact, it can sometimes be overwhelming given the wide range of establishments available, adapted to all tastes and budgets. We recommend you take a look at the most luxurious hotels in Madrid to get an idea.

The main advantage of traveling to Madrid is that the value for money of practically most hotels and hostels is much better if we compare it with that of other large European capitals, such as London, Amsterdam and Paris, where the price is very high for the quality that tourists find later.



As for the best areas to sleep, some may want to be close to nightlife areas, while families with children may prefer to stay in the quieter areas of the city. In any case, and from a neutral point of view, the best area to stay is the downtown district, mainly because from there you can walk to almost every point of the city.

If you like this area and want to stay in it, our advice is to look for hotels or hostels near Gran Vía and Puerta del Sol. Also those that are close to the main metro stations in the center are advisable if you opt for comfort. However, the price of these will be a little higher given their geographical location.

Apart from hotels and hostels, in Madrid you can also find vacation rental apartments, an option that is increasingly in demand by tourists who prefer to save money on meals away from home, since these types of rentals are equipped with kitchens. They are the most recommended option for families or people whose stay is going to be longer than a weekend or 7 days.

As for where to eat, this is also a very personal question and it will depend on the purpose of your trip. If you want to taste the gastronomy of Madrid, then our advice is that you visit the Plaza Mayor, where there are endless bars where it is possible to taste the most typical dishes of Madrid, including the famous squid sandwich, probably the most demanded dish by tourists.

Now, in the Plaza Mayor area, most restaurants are aimed at tourists, so their prices are considerably higher as a result. If you prefer not to spend such a high amount but you want to try Madrid's gastronomy in its purest essence, in Fuencarral and Gran Vía streets you will find numerous places of spanish tapas at a great price.

Getting around Madrid

The truth is that the most comfortable means of transport to move around the capital of Spain is the metro. However, it has several lines and endless stops both in the center and in the surroundings of the city, which is why it is not surprising that most tourists are easily confused. It is best to take a look at the lines that we will use during our stay.

Currently, there are twelve subway lines, three light rail lines and the branch line (R), which connects the stations of Príncipe Pío and Ópera. The metro is the fastest way to move around Madrid and, in addition, it operates from 6:00 in the morning until 01:30 hours, with a frequency between trains that goes from 2 to 5 minutes only, although this is lengthen a little longer on weekends and holidays.

Of all the metro lines, the modern one stands out 8 line (Nuevos Ministerios-Aeropuerto T4), since thanks to it it is possible to travel from the city to the Barajas Airport in just 20 minutes. It takes only 12 minutes to the rest of the terminals and it also connects the center with the Madrid Fair (Ifema). The rest of lines (lines 12, 11, 120, 7, 3 and 2) connect the capital with other nearby towns.

There is the call Tourist Transport Ticket, which is a subscription for which tourists who stay in Madrid between 1 and 7 days have the possibility of accessing all public transport in the city (metro, bus, train ...) without limit of trips and for a fixed price It will depend on the number of days. It is a very cost-effective way to get around the city if your trip requires the use of various public transportation.

Tourist transport passes vary in price by zone. Zone A includes the services of Madrid Capital, including the Airport, all urban bus lines (except the express to the airport), the ML1 of the Light Metro and the Renfe suburban network. Zone T is larger and covers all urban and interurban lines within the Community of Madrid, including services to Toledo and Guadalajara.

In addition to the metro, bus or commuter train, there is another even cheaper way to get around Madrid: the bicycle. It is a cheap means of transport, non-polluting and with which you exercise at the same time. You can rent a bicycle from a private company or use the public service BiciMAD. If you plan to move around Madrid by bike, pay attention to these tips:

  • Don't ride on the sidewalk
  • You can drive on the road, on the lane located further to the right
  • Respect the speed, do not overtake pedestrians at full speed
  • Plan your route in advance
  • Make gestures to indicate your next move
  • Respect the traffic rules with common sense
  • Don't forget to wear a helmet
  • Make yourself see at night

Special events and nightlife

Many tourists choose to travel to Madrid on certain dates, such as New Year's Eve. Spending the last night of the year at Puerta del Sol, the place where thousands of people gather to say goodbye to the year, is a privilege for many. In fact, it is here that the Spanish television networks broadcast the bells year after year at 00:00.

However, if you are going to spend New Year's Eve at Puerta del Sol, you must prepare well and anticipate the possible unforeseen events that may arise taking into account that it is a massive event. Therefore, here are some useful tips:

  • Metro hours: the Sol stop usually closes from 21:00 p.m. to 00:30 a.m., so you will have to get off at a nearby metro station, such as Callao.
  • Lead time: It is advisable to be at least one hour in advance, since as the time to say goodbye to the year approaches, more and more people congregate in Sol.
  • Where to stand: If you make the mistake of placing yourself in an area with frequent passage, the burden will be greater since people will not stop passing by every minute. Therefore, being on the side of the square is the most recommended.
  • Chimes: They may tell you that the chimes will not be heard, but it is difficult for this to happen. It is not advisable to count the chimes yourself and start drinking the grapes on your own, as you may end up getting ahead of yourself.
  • Leave the square: since the Puerta del Sol will be crowded with people, if you try to get out of there as soon as the bells end, you will end up jostling with the others. It is best to be patient and wait for it to clear up a bit before abandoning it.

Likewise, if you plan to spend Christmas in Madrid with children and decide to visit the famous Three Kings Parade, you should know that it is also an event where people flock and in which both parents and children are eager to see the floats and enjoy the event, especially the little ones. If you are going to go, deciding the day before from what point you are going to see it will help you see it better.

Also keep in mind that, whether you are going to see the chimes from the Sun, you are going to go to the Three Kings Parade or, ultimately, your trip will take place in winter, Madrid is a city where it is cold at this time of year , especially in December. For this reason, it is very important that you wear warm clothes, since in Madrid at night in winter it is especially cold, with a few 9-12 ° C on average.

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